ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Cabinet
Cabinet approves extension of tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis for three years
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today has approved the extension of the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis  for three years beyond 31.3.2022.
The total implication of the extension for three years would be approximately Rs.43.68 crore.
Impact :
The major beneficiaries would be the Safai Karamcharis and identified manual scavengers in the country since the NCSK for 3 more years beyond 31.3.2022. The number of Manual Scavengers identified under the MS Act Survey as on 31.12.2021 is 58098.
Details:
The NCSK was established in the year 1993 as per the provisions of the NCSK Act 1993 initially for the period upto 31.3.1997. Later the validity of the Act was initially extended upto 31.3.2002 and thereafter upto 29.2.2004. The NCSK Act ceased to have effect from 29.2.2004. After that the tenure of the NCSK has been extended as a non-statutory body from time to time through resolutions. The tenure of the present Commission is upto 31.3.2022.
Background:
The NCSK has been giving its recommendations to the Government regarding specific programmes for welfare of Safai Karamcharis, study and evaluate the existing welfare programmes for Safai Karamcharis, investigate cases of specific grievances etc. Also as per the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, the NCSK has been assigned the work to monitor the implementation of the Act, tender advice for its effective implementation to the Centre and State Governments and enquire into complaints regarding contravention/non-implementation of the provisions of the Act. Though the Government has taken many steps for the upliftment of the Safai Karamcharis, the deprivation suffered by them in socio-economic and educational terms is still far from being eliminated. Although manual scavenging has been almost eradicated, sporadic instances do occur. Hazardous cleaning of sewer/septic tanks continues to be an area of the highest priority for the Government. Hence, the Government feels that there is a continued need to monitor the various interventions and initiatives of the Government for welfare of Safai Karamcharis and to achieve the goal of complete mechanization of sewer/septic tanks cleaning in the country and rehabilitation of manual scavengers.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Cabinet approves Repositioning of North Eastern Council
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region  for the nomination of the Union Home Minister as ex-officio Chairman of North Eastern Council  - a statutory body with Governors and Chief Ministers of all the eight North Eastern States as its Member. The Cabinet also approved that Minister of State , Ministry of DoNER would serve as Vice Chairman of the Council.
Impact:
NEC implements various projects through the State and Central agencies. Under the new arrangement with Home Minister as Chairman and Minister of DoNER as Vice Chairman, NEC and all the Governors and Chief Ministers of North Eastern States as Member would provide a forum for discussing inter-state matters more comprehensively and also consider common approaches to be taken in future.
NEC can now also perform the tasks undertaken by the various Zonal Councils to discuss such inter-State issues as drug trafficking, smuggling of arms and ammunition, boundary disputes etc.
This repositioning of NEC will help it to become a more effective body for the North Eastern Region.
The Council shall, from time to time, review the implementation of the projects/schemes included in the project; recommend effective measures for coordination among the state Governments for these projects etc. The Council shall have such powers as may be delegated to it by the Central Government.
Background:
NEC was established under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971 as an apex level body for securing balanced and coordinated development and facilitating coordination with the States. Subsequent to the Amendment of 2002, NEC has been mandated to function as a regional planning body for the North Eastern Area and while formulating a regional plan for this area, shall give priority to the schemes and projects benefiting two or more states provided that in the case of Sikkim, the Council shall formulate specific projects and schemes for that State.
Ministry of Defence
Third Edition of Bilateral Maritime Exercise between Royal Australian and Indian Navies – AUSINDEX-19 set to begin
The third edition of AUSINDEX, an acronym for Australia India Exercise is scheduled to commence with the arrival of HMAS Canberra , a Landing Helicopter Dock, HMAS New Castle and HMAS Paramatta, both frigates; HMAS Collins, a conventional submarine and HMAS Success, a Durance-class multi-product replenishment oiler at Visakhapatnam on 02 April 19. The aim of the exercise is, “To strengthen and enhance mutual cooperation and interoperability between the IN and RAN, providing opportunities for interaction and exchange of professional views between the personnel of the two navies”.
A sign of strengthening of bilateral and defence cooperation between the two countries as envisaged in the Framework for Security Cooperation  announced by the Australian and Indian Prime Ministers in 2014. The maiden edition of the exercise was held in September 2015 at Visakhapatnam. Australia hosted the second edition of the exercise off Freemantle in June 2017, wherein ships of the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy  exercised with Royal Australian Navy  ships and submarines.
Building on a long history of cooperation – including the shared experiences in the trenches of World War I in Gallipoli and along the Western Front – Australia and India have a positive defence relationship, underpinned by the 2006 Memorandum of Defence Cooperation and 2009 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation. However, post the 2014 bilateral FSC the cooperation on defence and security matters between the two countries has gained significant momentum thus, witnessing conscious and focussed enhancements.
The complexity of the biennial maritime exercise over the past four years has steadily increased. The third edition would involve exercises in all three dimensions with focus on ASW. The number of units being fielded by both navies in the bilateral exercise is the highest till date. The increased scale of participation signifies the importance attached to the exercise by both countries while the enhanced complexity is indicative of the interoperability between the two navies. Overall, the exercise underscores India’s vision of SAGAR  and shared objectives of the two countries towards ensuring good order in the maritime domain and solidarity with friendly and harmonious countries.
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DKS/CGR/AC/48-19
(Visitor Counter : 2426
Ministry of Defence
Flood Relief Operation by Indian Army in Kerala
Indian Army is deeply involved in the Rescue & Relief operations in Kerala which is witnessing very heavy rains since 09 August 2018. Request for provision of Army assistance was received on 09 August 2018. Accordingly, Indian Army carried out execution of Disaster Relief tasks on a war footing which has been greatly appreciated by civilian populace and the State administration.
As on date total of 10 flood relief columns, each having an approximate strength of 65 personnels are carrying out rescue operations in ten districts of Kerala. The details of flood relief columns are as under:-
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Serial
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Column Number
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Place of Deployment
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Date of Deployment
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Column 1 & 2
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Ayyankunnu 
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09 Aug 2018
16 Aug 2018
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Column 3
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Mananthwady 
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09 Aug 2018
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Column 4
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Kozikode
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09 Aug 2018
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Column 5
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Karuvarukundu & Nilambur 
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09 Aug 2018
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Column 6
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Adimali, Idukki
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10 Aug 2018
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Column 7
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Aluwa, Ernakulam
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11 Aug 2018
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Column 8
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Ernakulam
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13 Aug 2018
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Column 9
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Pathnamathitta
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13 Aug 2018
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Column 10
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Thiruvanantpuram
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15 Aug 2018
In addition to the 10 flood relief columns, 10 Engineer Task Forces  each having an approximate strength of 40 personnels from Jodhpur, Bhopal, Pune, Bangalore and Secunderabad have been pressed into action. Army is also utilising 53 military boats to evacuate civilians from flood affected areas. The details of ETF are as under:-
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Serial
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Column Number
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Place of Deployment
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Date of Deployment
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ETF 1
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Munnar, Idukki
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09 Aug 2018
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ETF 2
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Ernakulam
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09 Aug 2018
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ETF 3
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Pathnamathitta
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11 Aug 2018
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ETF 4,5,6
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Thrissur
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16 Aug 2018
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ETF 7,8,9
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Trivendrum
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16 Aug 2018
17 Aug 2018
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ETF 10
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Kozhikode
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17 Aug 2018
Inspite of continuous and heavy rains, Indian Army columns are working round the clock to restore connectivity to remote villages by constructing temporary foot bridges, bunds and preparing alternate routes. 13 temporary bridges were constructed to reconnect 38 remote areas and total of 3627 personnels have been rescued till date, which include 22 foreign nationals.
Relief materials have been sent to 19 villages with medical aid being provided to approximately 500 civilians till date. In addition 3000 pre-cooked meals and 300 life jackets have been handed over to civil administration on 17 Aug 2018.
Col Aman Anand
PRO 
(Visitor Counter : 1211
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
India’s Tiger Census sets a New Guinness Record for being the world’s largest camera trap wildlife survey.
A great moment and a shining example of ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’: Union Environment Minister
The fourth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation 2018, results of which were declared to the nation on Global Tiger Day last year by Prime Minister,Shri Narendra Modi has entered the Guinness World Record for being the world’s largest camera trap wildlife survey.
Terming this achievement a great moment, Union Environment Minister,Shri Prakash Javadekar in a tweet message said that this is a shining example of Atma nirbhar Bharat which in the Prime Minister’s own words, was attained through sankalp se siddhi.
Further, the Environment Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, India has fulfilled its resolve to double the tiger numbers four years before the target. The country now has an estimated 2967 tigers as per the latest census. With this number, India is home to nearly 75% of the global tiger population and has already fulfilled its resolve of doubling tiger numbers, made at St. Petersburg in 2010, much before the target year of 2022.
The citation at the Guinness World Record website reads- “The fourth iteration of the survey – conducted in 2018-19 - was the most comprehensive to date, in terms of both resource and data amassed. Camera traps  were placed in 26,838 locations across 141 different sites and surveyed an effective area of 121,337 square kilometres . In total, the camera traps captured 34,858,623 photographs of wildlife . From these photographs, 2,461 individual tigers  were identified using stripe-pattern-recognition software.
As well as unprecedented camera trap usage, the 2018 “Status of Tigers in India” assessment also conducted extensive foot surveys that covered 522,996 km  of trails and sampled 317,958 habitat plots for vegetation and prey dung. It’s estimated that the total area of forest studied was 381,200 km2  and cumulatively the collection and review of data equated to some 620,795 labour-days.”
The All India Tiger Estimation done quadrennially is steered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority with technical backstopping from the Wildlife Institute of India and implemented by State Forest Departments and partners. The latest results of 2018 had shown that India now has an estimated 2967 tigers out of which 2461 individual tigers have been photo captured, a whopping 83 % of the tiger population, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the survey.
There is hardly any parallel of such a focused species oriented program like Project Tiger across the world, which started with 9 Tiger Reserves, with 50 tiger reserves currently. India has now firmly established a leadership role in tiger conservation, with its bench marking practices being looked at as a gold standard across the world.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
On the eve of Women’s Day WCD Minister releases report on status of women in media in South Asia
Investing in women is investing in the economy-Smriti Zubin Irani
Investing in women is not just a social expenditure but it is an investment in the economy said Union Minister of Women and Child Development  and Textiles, SmritiZubinIrani, in New Delhi today. She was speaking at an event organised by the Press Information Bureau and the Indian Institute of Mass Communication  on the eve of Women’s Day celebrated the world over on March 8.
At the event WCD Minister released a report prepared by IIMC on the Status of Women in Media in South Asia. She congratulated IIMC for bringing out this report and urged that it must be shared with the heads and owners of media houses in order to bring to their notice the gender gap and inequity that exists in newsrooms.
SmritiZubinIrani said that the Ministry of WCD will be happy to collaborate with the IIMC to conduct a study on the impact of evolving technology on women in media. She also said that research needs to be done on women in regional media and the support ecosystem required by them during their job in the field.
Prof.VeenaSikri, Founding Trustee and Convenor of South Asia Women’s Network, highlighted the findings of the report. The report sponsored by the UNESCOhas been researched jointly by the South Asia Women’s Network  and the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development. The working conditions of women in media was studied in the nine countries of South Asia and has been brought out in two volumes.
The full report is available on: http://www.swaninterface.net/report-on-the-status-of-women-in-media-in-south-asia-march-2020/
The event was attended by Principal Director General of the Press Information Bureau, New Delhi, Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia, Principal Director General of News Services Division, All India Radio, Ms. Ira Joshi, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting  Atul Kumar Tiwari, senior officials of different media units of the Ministry of I&B, retired media heads of the I&B Ministry and journalists.
Ministry of Railways
Railways Revenue Earnings up by 76% in Passenger Segment
Railways register growth of 50% in Reserved Passenger Segment and 422% in Unreserved Passenger Segment
The total approximate earnings of Indian Railways on originating basis during April to November 2022 is Rs. 43324 Crore, registering an increase of 76 per cent in comparison to Rs. 24631 Crore achieved during the same period last year.
In reserved passenger segment, the total approximate numbers of passengers booked during the period 1st April to 30th November 2022 is 5365 Lakhs as compared to 4860 Lakhs during the same period last year, showing an increase of 10%. The revenue generated from reserved passenger segment during the period 1st April to 30th November 2022 is 34303 Crores as compared to 22904 Crores during the same period last year, showing an increase of 50%.
In Unreserved passenger segment, the total approximate numbers of passengers booked during the period 1st April to 30th November 2022 is 35273 Lakhs as compared to 13813 Lakhs during the same period last year, showing an increase of 155%. The revenue generated from Unreserved passenger segment during the period 1st April to 30th November 2022 is Rs 9021 Crores as compared to Rs 1728 Crores during the same period last year, showing an increase of 422%.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
National River Conservation Plan in Maharashtra: Rs.1182.86 Crores Sanctioned for Krishna, Panchganga, Godavari, Tapi, Mula Mutha
Rs.208.95 Crore Released as Central Share for Implementation of River Conservation Projects
260 MLD Sewage Treatment Capacity Created in Karad, Sangli, Kolhapur, Nanded, Nashik, Triambakeshwar, Prakasha
Mumbai, 05th April 2022
Under National River Conservation Plan , pollution abatement projects for conservation of rivers in Maharashtra namely Krishna, Panchganga, Godavari, Tapi and Mula Mutha were sanctioned at a total cost of Rs.1182.86 crores. An amount of Rs.208.95 crore has been released as the central share for implementation of these projects, and inter-alia, a sewage treatment capacity of 260 million litres per day  has been created so far in the towns of Karad, Sangli, Kolhapur, Nanded, Nashik, Triambakeshwar and Prakasha.
Ministry of Jal Shakti, through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan , has been supplementing efforts of the States/UTs by providing financial and technical assistance in abatement of pollution in identified stretches of rivers excluding river Ganga and its tributaries which is covered under Namami Gange Program, on cost sharing basis. Proposals for pollution abatement works, received from the States/UTs from time to time for consideration under NRCP, are sanctioned based on their prioritization, conformity with NRCP guidelines, independent appraisal, availability of Plan funds, etc.
Rivers in the country are polluted mainly due to discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage from cities/towns and industrial effluents in their respective catchments, problems in operation and maintenance of sewage/effluent treatment plants, agricultural run-off, lack of dilution and other non-point sources of pollution. It is the responsibility of States/Union Territories , local bodies and the industrial units to ensure required treatment of sewage and industrial effluent, before discharging into recipient water bodies or land for prevention and control of pollution therein.
Cleaning/rejuvenation of rivers is a continuous and dynamic process, and may also depend on natural factors. In compliance of the orders of National Green Tribunal in Original Application No.673/2018 regarding polluted river stretches in the country, States/UTs are required to implement action plans for restoration of the said stretches in their jurisdiction within the stipulated timelines.
This information was given by Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in written reply in Rajya Sabha, today.
Ministry of Finance
IRS Officer Shri J Krishna Kishore promoted to Chief Commissioner of Income Tax
Shri J Krishna Kishore an IRS Officer of 1990 batch presently posted as Principal Director of Income Tax, Odisha, has been promoted as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, vide Office Order No. 179 dated 27.07.2023 of the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Shri J Krishna Kishore has an outstanding track record and is known to be an officer of impeccable integrity. During his tenure the Directorate of Investigation of Odisha has achieved the best ever results in all parameters, including highest cash ever seizure and highest detection of concealed income in Odisha.
RoM
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Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Meeting of Associate Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development, Govt. of Canada with both Secretaries of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
The discussion themed at Ministry’s mandate to support the welfare, social justice and empowerment of disadvantaged and marginalized peoples
Special emphasis on payment of benefits to the beneficiaries directly through digital/DBT mode
A meeting was held at 11.00 AM on 19th July, 2023 in the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, at the 5th Floor of Pandit Deendayal Antyodaya Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 with Mr. Andrew Brown, Associate Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development, Govt. of Canada with the Secretaries of both the Departments of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India- Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Shri Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. The topics for discussion was to learn about the Ministry’s mandate to support the welfare, social justice and empowerment of disadvantaged and marginalized peoples.
During the discussions among other things, the best practices and challenges in respect of skill training and employment of persons with disabilities, social security schemes/programmes for Senior Citizens including pension, Scholarships, programs for homeless population were shared from both the sides. Special emphasis was given by both the Secretaries of DEPwD and D/o SJ&E on payment of benefits to the beneficiaries directly through digital/DBT mode by Govt. of India.
President's Secretariat
President’s Deepawali Greetings
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has sent his greetings to fellow citizens on the eve of Deepawali.
In his message, the President has said, “On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, I extend warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and around the world.
This festival is an opportunity to foster fraternity and unity among all citizens. Deepawali guides us from darkness towards light. On this occasion let us spread and share our happiness with those who are less fortunate than us.
I also urge all citizens to commit themselves to celebrating a pollution-free and safe Deepawali”.
Please click here for Hindi Greeting.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
13th Joint Trade Committee meeting of India and Thailand held in New Delhi
The 13th Meeting of India Thailand Joint Trade Committee  was held today in New Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by Director General of Department of Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, Ms. Auramon Supthaweethum and Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, India Ms. Indu C. Nair. This was the first physical meeting of the JTC after it was revived in 2020, after 17 years.
Thailand is India’s important trading partner in ASEAN with total trade of USD 16.89 Billion in 2022-23. Thailand accounts for 13.6% of India’s total trade with ASEAN. Thailand is an important destination for India’s gems and jewellery, mechanical machinery, auto and auto components and agricultural products especially marine products.
Reviewing the status of bilateral trade and each partner’s modest share in other’s global imports, the chairs emphasised the need for identifying new potential products and priority sectors for expanding the bilateral trade. Both sides also discussed various market access issues and technical barriers faced by their exporters and agreed to resolve the same through regular and sustained bilateral discussions. India raised the restriction faced in its export of marine, poultry and meat products.
Both sides identified a range of potential commodities and sectors for strengthened partnership such as value added marine products, smartphones, Electric vehicles, food processing and pharmaceuticals. The countries also agreed that there is huge scope in collaboration in the Service Sector and agreed to explore establishing mutual recognition/cooperation arrangements in Nursing, Accounting, Audio Visual and Medical Tourism.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the ongoing efforts on connecting Unified Payment Interface  of India with Prompt Pay Service of Thailand and the settlement of trade transactions in local currency.